browne



- (No Model.) 2-Sheets-Sheet 1. A

w. FQBROWNE. PROCESS OF AND APPARATUS FOR DESULPHURIZING ORES.

No. 284,177; Patented Sept; 4, 1883.

2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

(No Model.)

, W. F. BROWNE.

S E R O nu N I Z I R U H P L U S E D R 0 F S U T A R A P P A D N A P O S S E G 0 R P No. 284,177. Patented Sept. 4, 1883.

' INVENTOR WITNESSES; ll

' UNITED STATES PATENT,

OFFICE. 1

WILLIAM FRANK BnovvNE, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

PROCESS OFAND-APPARATUS :FOR DESULPHURIZING ones.

. SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 284,177, dated September 4, 1883,

Application filed January 28, 1882. (No model.)

T0 to whom it 11mg concern.-

Be it known that 1, WM. FRANK BRowNE, of the city, county, and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Process of an d Apparatus forDesulphurizing Ores; and I do hereby declare that the following is a clear and full description thereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, which form a part of this specification.

This invention relates to devices and apparatus for desulphurizing ores, and has for its object the combination of a desulphurizing apparatus with a hi gh-pressure-steam generator, the one being essentialto the successful operation of the other.

To this end the invention consists in means for inducing and exhausting a current of finely-pulverized ores through a coil of pipe or conduit by means of a volume of high-pressure steam injected into'the induction end of saidcoil and another volume at the eduction end of the coil, whereby a combined, impelling and expelling force is brought to bear in the same direction upon the current of ores passing through the coil for the purpose of desulphurizing the ores, as will be more fully hereinafter described.

- This invention further consistsin the con- 4 struction and arrangement of the impelling andexpelling devices, the feeding device, the

separating-chamber, and other details, as will more fully hereinafter appear.

Figure 1 is a vertical section of a steamgenerating and desulphurizing apparatus. Fig. 2 is a horizontal section of the combined steam and desu'lphurizing apparatus, showing the conduit in which the ore is desulphurized, the

7 injector and ejector for forcing and drawing the ore through the conduit, and the receptacle into which the ore is discharged. The general construction of the stea'm-gen- Y crating apparatus (shown in Fig. 1) is similar toone for which an application for Letters Patent was filed August 16, 1881. i

The steam-generating apparatus BA con: sists of an outer and inner shell, c and 6 secured to the base A. The interior shell is lined with a coating of asbestus cement, f, or with some other material of an analogous nature.

The combustionchamber is provided with a suitable number of coiled pipes or conduits, w,

which are preferably made spiralin form and. in horizontal planes, and when grouped together, as shown, they form a coiled sectional steam-generator, which is capable of sustainin a ver hi h pressure and especially so g y g 7 when the sections are made from double-extra lap-welded pipe. j i

The two ends of the pipes which form the sections 00 projectparallel to each other through the outer and inner shells, c and c where they are provided with suitable regulation or special gas-pipe fittings, whereby a free circulation is obtained through the series of sections at. The water from which the steam is generated is forced into the upper section through connecting-pipe o'by steam-pump E J. This water is now forced through the spiral turns of the upper section, from whence it is discharged into the next section below, through which it is forced into the next lower section, and so on through the series, until finally discharged into the separator or chamber H in the form of highly-heated steam un der a corresponding high pressure. This pressure should be at least two hundred and fifty pounds, thereby containing nearly 410 of sensible heat, which is of the utmost importance when employed as a desulphurizing agent.

The steamis discharged from the separator or chamber H through pipe K into dome M, from whence it is conducted through suitable pipe-connections to the place or places required. Steam from the pump is conducted ing-pipe Z. A safety device is attached to pipe P. This device is provided with pipe m, for

work the pipe which is but two to three inches.

in, diameter will be the most economical.

The length of pipes which compose the coil must be joined together into one continuous length of pipe bywelding theirends together.

Great care should be exercised while forming the joints, inorderto preserve an even and uniform bore when welding the two ends tofrom the dome through pipe P and connectgether. Should obstructions or unevenness occur at the welds, they would obstruct the ore and be liable'to effect agglomerationwhich might, in time, clog the pipe; and also these lengths of .pipe should never be connected by right and left couplings, for at each joint an annular recess would be formed of about 011efourth of an inch in depth, which would fill with ore, and if agglomeration did not take place the end of the pipe receiving the current of ore would be soon worn away by the cutting or abrasion of the silica contained therein. After the lengths of pipe are welded together, until the required pipe for forming the coil is obtained, it is then heated and bent into a circular orhelical coil of a suitable diameter, which, to a certain degree, will depend upon the diameter of the pipe. Thus a pipe two and one-half inches in internal diameter the angles of the box and leaving it straight on the faces thereof; but coils which contain straight runs and angleseither right, obtuse,

or acute-are objectionable, as the circular form offers the least obstruction or resistance, and

it is the one in which an even flow of ore can be maintained, and in which the abrasion of the internal surface will be equalized throughout the entire length of the coil when used in the following manner:

The ore is carried through the coil by impelling and exhausting forces, by means of which the ore can be kept in a comminuted state, and which cannot be done as effectually as when but one force is employed, for the reason that all bodies when projected by an impelling force tend to move in straight lines and never out of that course, unless interrupted by some counter force, and when so interrupted the resultant course will be inaccordance with the two forces. Therefore when the ore is proj ected through the coil by an impelling force the ore tends to move in a straight line, but being limited in its course by the walls of the pipe it is projected against the exterior inner circumference, against which it abrades the entire length of the pipe on its passage through the same. In consequence of this abrasion the pipewill soon be worn away unless a counter force is employed, whereby the resultant course of the ore, caused by the two forces,can be changed to the center of the pipe. If only the drawing or exhausting force is employed, the ore will be projected or drawn against the interior inner circumference of the coil, thereby wearing it awayin undue time; but when the two forces act simultaneously the axis of the resultant course will be at or near the center of the coil, whereby any undue abrasion of the coil is obviated, and the ore held in suspension, and no agglomeration some of which can be condensed by wellknown means, while the precious metals, the oxides, and pulverized rock will be precipitated into properly-constructed receptacles for further treatment.

The impelling and exhausting forces above mentioned are of great importance and should be employed on all occasions, or whenever ore is to be desulphurized or oxidized in a coiled conduit 3 but the ore can be drawn through by the exhausting force, which would be far better and more reliable than when forced through by the impelling force, as when only the impelling force is employed the ore would be driven against the outer interior diameter of the coil, and will pass through the same in a compact form.

Another serious objection to the impelling force when used alone is in consequence of the ore being thrown upon the inner exterior circumference of the pipe, so that by the specific gravity and cohesion of the particles of ore upon themselves and upon the pipe they will become retarded and agglomerated, while the steam will flow on through the unobstructed portion of the pipe, and by a constant. influx of ore, with a decreasing velocity in consequence of the friction, aggregation must take place, and the pipe soon becomes filled and the ore so impacted that it is impossible to remove it by the aid of steam, however great the press ure thereof.

The devices for impelling and exhausting the ore through the coil 0 consists of an injector, 0 k, and ejector R, which are connected to the two ends of the coil. The injector is connected to the end A, while the ejector is connected to a nipple, 0 n, and the nipple to the coil by the right-and-left coupling 12. The injector is connected with the steam-pipe 0 j,while the ejector is connected with the steam-pipe 0 8. Both of these pipes communicate with the dome M by means of pipe 1?. The dome is held in position by braces 70; The steam-generating coils are supported in the shell by a rack, it, upon one side of the furnace, and

upon the opposite side by the inner projecta ing end of the coils, and at right angles to these two points of support by a series of crosspipes, Z, which are shown only in section. These pipes project through the two opposite sides of the shell, where they are connected by proper fittings, which will admit of a free circulation of water through the same. These cross-pipes will, when water is circulating through them, prevent the coiled section 00 from sagging down when very high heat is required. Whatever condensation of steam occurs in the dome will return to the separator H by way of drain-pipe s. This condensation can be 4O A i g and flue o 0 into the ash-plt'B O, thence bethe orefrom packing, and causes it to fall into pipe 0 i, from WhlOhit is blown and drawn into discharged from the separator through pipe 0' on opening plug-cock 8. i

f The coiled sections of steam-pipe can be in creased to any number required, oruntil all of her, from the basefA to above the upper coil or section, is made into two doors, which swing outward upon hinges and expose the whole se riesof coils or sections, whereby they can be removed by disconnecting their-ends from the If the sections are damaged, they can be readily removed and replaced by new sec tions, The coil 0 can be readily removed by disconnecting the ends and opening the doors.

a The annular space mibetween the outer and inner she1l,is employed for heatingthe air prior to its entering the fire-box. The air is drawn into a series of holes, b, whichextend around the. top of the outer shell. The air passes through an annularrow of holes, b made in the base A, where it enters an annular chamber, 0 a. This chamber is formed by the vertical flange 0 u, the base A, and the masonry B B, forming the'fire-box on which the generator rests. This annular chamber 9 afits' over orcorresponds to a fine, 0 b, which is made in the masonry B B, and which is provided with anoutlet into which an exhaustpipe, 0 h, projects; .nects with a blower, V, which is for the pur This exhaust-pipe conpose of exhausting or drawing'the air through the holes If down through the annular space :0 into the annular chamber 0 a, thence through flue 0 b and pipe 0 h into the blower, from whence it is forced or discharged throughpipe tween the grate-bars N into the furnace A 0.

It will be observed that the walls of the furnace project inward from the inner shell to a means of belt of, passing overpulley o e.

distance corresponding to the internal diameter of the coil 0. The flange on, which is cast with the base A, projects inward for the pur-' pose of covering the bricks and forming a supportfor the coil. i v r l Fuel is fed to the firebox through the door F, while the ashesare taken out through door F O. The pulverized ore is conducted through pipe 0 d, from whence it is discharged into hopper 0 9, wherein it comes in contact with the revolving toothed wheel 0 h, which prevents the coil 0. The toothed wheel is revolved by The blower is also rotated by means of belt or. If

the ore is dry, it should be heated to a degree just below the melting-point of sulphur before being drawnor forced into the coil 0, in consequence of which their can be no condensation whenthe steam and ore .comein' contact, which would be the case if the contact were made without preliminary heating; but in any and be rendered useless.

tion.

f eventit will be better to dry and heat all of the ore prior to its entering the desulphurizing-coil; and, again, the ore should never be allowed to pass throughthe coil without either steam or water entering therewith, for without the aid of oxygen and hydrogen the pipe would fill up in a very short time, burn out, "Of course the steam which is used in the ejector for exhausting and expelling the ore is useless, so far as are agent is concerned. Therefore enough steam,

which will vary according to the percentage of the volatilizable base properties contained in the ores,must be used for oxidizing and The highertheperployed about mines, where steam for motive power is employed for breaking and pulverizing ore, and other purposes for which steam is used about mines or reduction-works, The

. escaping heat from the desulphurizing-furnace is more than sufficientto generate all the steam required for crushing and pulverizing the ore. Therefore the apparatus herein shownand described will economize to the extent of the fuel required to generate the steam, which does the work of crushing and pulverizing said ore. This item of expense is of great importance when the high price of fuel in some localities is considered.

This combinedapparatus can be made portable, when-necessary, simply by dropping the base between the grate-bars and lengthening theshells, all of which is shown in the application referred to in the foregoing specifica- The operation of desulphurizing ores is as follows: Steam is at first generated in the coils w from the water, which is forced therein by the pump E J and discharged into the chamber or separator H, from whence it is conducted to the dome M. Thence itis conductedthrough pipes P o s and 0 j and discharged into the in jector 0 k and ejector R in suitable propor tions, as above mentioned, where, owing to the action of steam, the ore is caused to pass from pipe o i into and through the coil 0, where,-

a when highly heated, the sulphur and similar impurities become volatilized and discharged with the desulphurized ore by a closed or open receiver, 0 t.

The receiver can be supplied with screens for the retention of the ores, while the gases are allowed free egress; and also the ore and gases can be discharged beneath the surface of water, which will retain the ore and allow the gases to escape.

All classes of desulphurized ores can be discharged directly beneath water, and thereby save any metals which might become volatilized by the high heat required. In desulphuejector R into l ni rizing cinnabar the quicksilver would become volatilized and could be easily condensed and recovered when discharged below the surface of the water, and the same may be said of all other metals which volatilize at low temperatures.

One of the advantages derived from the use of the high-pressure-steam generator is that a very high pressure steam can be generated, which will be required to exhaust and force the ore through the highly-heated desulphurizing-coil, and a result obtained thereby which cannot be accomplished by steam from an ordinary steam-boiler, owing to the fact that it cannot resist the pressure of the generative force in the desulphurizing-coil, which can, however, be overcome by the high-pressure steam generated in the coiled sectional generator herein shown and described.

The heat of the steam which enters the coil by absorbing but a very little more heat to effeet the decomposition thereof in connection with. the sulphurous and metalliferous vapors.

Therefore by the use of the highly-heated steam a greater quantity of ore can be desulphurized in a given time than when done by the use of steam at the low pressure of forty to seventy pounds, which would contain heat of only 260 to 300. Therefore, as the ordinary boiler now in use cannot sustain the high pressure required in my method of treating ores, and as these refractory ores cannot be properly treated without these high heats and pressure, I consider the steam-generator herein shown and described of great importance when taken inconnection with a desulphurizing apparatus, and still more so when combined with said desulphurizing apparatus in a manner that it will utilize the heat which escapes from the desulphurizer, and which would be lost were it not for the steam-generating apparatus connected therewith, as shown and described.

I am aware that it is old to convey ores through an externally-heated pipe in conjunction with steam for the purpose of desulphurizing, and do not therefore claimsuch method, broadly.

. What I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. In the desulphurization of ores by means of external heat in connection with steam, the method which consists in highly heating steam in the manner described and carrying the pulverized ore through an externally-heated conduit in conjunction with a current of air and dry or superheated steam, in the manner herein described.

3. In an apparatus for desulphurizing ores,

the combination of a heating-chamber having a fire-box, with a coil-pipe steam-generator placed within said heating-chamber, and the connected desulphurizing-coil provided with a feeding device and a steam-injector at the induction .end of said coil and an ejector at its discharge end, whereby a highly-heated current of steam and pulverized ore is forced through said coil in such manner that by the extreme heat from the furnace on the exterior of the coil and the extreme heat and pressure of the steam on the interior of the coil in direct contact with the ores a complete desulphurization of the ores is effected. I

4. In a desulphurizing apparatus, the combination of the fire-box provided with air-fines, as described, of a base-plate placed upon said fire-box and forming an annular air-conduit therewith, of an inner and outer casing, the latter being provided with air-inlets, and of an exhausting and forcing device, all connected and arranged as described, whereby the air is heated in passing throughsaid channels and is forced into the fire-box for the better combustion of the fuel.

5. In a desulphurizing apparatus, the coilpipe steam-generator provided with a superheater, in combination with a desulphurizing helical coil arranged below said generator and immediately above the fire-place, substantially as described.

6. The combination, in a desulphurizing apparatus, of the heating-chamber and fire-box with a coiled-pipe steamgenerator and a helical desulphurizing-coil arranged one abovethe other,,the air-inclosing casing for the purpose of preventing radiation and to heat the air for the furnace, the hollow base provided with airconduits for supplying air to the furnace, and the exhausting and forcing device for drawing the air from the hollow casing and forcing it to the fuel in the furnace and connections, as described.

WM. FRANK BROWNE.

IIO 

